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Shh. Don’t tell anyone. We haven’t gotten any meaningful amount of rain in Seattle for at least a couple of months and have been stricken by a heat wave. It’s supposed to be nearly 100 tomorrow and will climb over 90 today. We want out-of-staters to believe that it rains all the time here so they don’t move here.

Some of you might laugh at us being miserable in 90+ degree weather, but that is abnormally hot for us this time of year. We’ve been breaking records right and left. Despite the broiling temperature, many people made it out to what’s long been one of the best local parades this side of the Cascades. Although Bothell has decided to reinvent itself and the downtown area looks like a meteorite slammed into it as high rises sprout out of the debris, the parade retains most of the hometown America feel it’s always had.

Attendance was not what it was in the other years I’ve been to Bothell’s event. It might have been the heat; it might have been the shock caused by recent Supreme Court decisions that will restrict our freedoms even more. Some people feel confused about whether to celebrate our country or not right now. But in Bothell, you’re not likely to be scrunched in next to a drunk guy yelling things he believes are cool and clever as his $50 too-tight tee sweats some nauseating designer fragrance. There’s room to breathe and the vast majority of people are polite and personable. They cheer, they clap, they have fun, and they celebrate America.

This group of veterans from the local American Legion post carried the colors at the front of the parade. I was so impressed when a mother in front of me asked her teenagers to stand that I had to thank her (and then forgot to take off my hat).

Yes, we love our firefighters. This is Bothell Fire’s vintage engine.

Lights and sirens and firemen, oh my!

It’s a longstanding tradition for the families and friends of Fire employees to ride on the engines as well.

The American Legion vehicles and floats are always flamboyantly festooned with flags.

I missed getting a shot of the muscle-bound O2 superhero guy that preceded Community Transit’s bus, but he knew how to work the crowd.

The Masons brought the Washington Monument– and George Washington or a close relative.

People from around the world visit my blog, so it might not be normal for them to see a dancing clam in their town. In the Northwest, it’s been very normal for a long time. We don’t even blink. It’s just “one of Ivar’s clams.” Local businessman Ivar Haglund was involved in all kinds of shenanigans like The Great Syrup Spill and underwater billboards. Click on his name for a good laugh.

The Knights of Columbus always lend a regal air to the procession.

Americans: we like cars. Enough said.

Several Boy Scout troops marched in the parade.

People do crazy things with their vehicles in Fourth of July parades– and I love it!

There are always some real vintage beauties…

This group didn’t carry a banner, but the crowd applauded loudly for these vaqueros and their dancing horses. The horses were gorgeous and highly trained. I got a kick out of them being stopped in front of the Ranch for a few minutes until the parade got moving again.

Paddle sports are becoming increasingly popular in our region. You’ll see paddle boarders on our local lakes a lot.

The Cub Scout on the end was a hoot to watch.

The Bothell Sons of Norway are always present to spread hearty Viking cheer.

Thankfully this Viking knew to use his non-sword hand.

“Hail to the king, baby.” -Bruce Campbell

Scottish pride! It’s not a parade without the pipes and drums.

Our local Sikhs had one of the livelier groups, drumming and dancing.

The Yakima Fruit Stand is to Bothell what the Empire State Building is to New York City. It’s inextricably linked.

Hydros of all sizes are part of summer in Seattle.

I don’t know if this was the woman running for City Council or one of her supporters, but I heartily approve of her outfit.

The Kenmore Shooting Range entry had a ram in the back that made me do a double take… it was fake. And yeah, let freedom ring, people!

This was one of the smallest vehicles in the parade. If it were up to the Seattle City Council, we’d all be driving vehicles this size.

The original American patriots.

This British soldier was calling out to the crowd, telling them, “Join the British Army! See the world!” He was the sole redcoat present.

This might have been the smallest horse in the parade, but he was definitely the coolest. And most patriotic.

This might be my favorite shot of the day. Many sports teams participate in the parade. Many soak spectators with water. Today that was very, very welcome, and they were having a blast, pun intended, doing it.

A local Muslim group chanted, “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!”

Who ya gonna call?

Fred Flintstone made an appearance. I think Barney was covering the Kirkland parade.

This really is a fun antiques store if you’re ever in downtown Bothell.

Bothell did a great job putting on this parade. One question on everyone’s minds, though, was “where are the Seafair pirates?” We all heard the Moby Duck’s mortar at the start of the parade; I couldn’t believe the guy next to me brought his dog because not only was it too hot, but that boom can be heard for miles. No one knows where the boisterous, booming pirates were. That was a bummer.

There needed to be more music and marching bands. There were some long stretches in-between parade entries. But kudos to Bothell for keeping this wonderful local tradition alive. Happy Fourth, all! Now onto the next stop…

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What better way to celebrate Presidents’ Day than at a statue of our Founding Father George Washington on George Washington Lane at the University of Washington in the State of Washington?

Today members of the public and patriotic organizations from across the area gathered for a commemoration of Presidents’ Day in Seattle. After a program and speech, participants surrounded the Washington Statue– just down the stairs from the By George Cafe– for a wreath laying ceremony.

Among the organizations represented were the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution), DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), and CAR (Children of the American Revolution). These people are direct descendants of American patriots, some of whom served with General, later President, George Washington. (more…)

When you join the Daughters of the American Revolution, you know you’re joining an organization that is deeply rooted in our nation’s heritage, including its religious heritage. For almost 125 years, the DAR has included the name of Jesus in its prayers and publications.

According to an email sent out today, the DAR is not condemning the use of Jesus’ name in publications and proceedings, it’s just removed some references to His name and other allegedly contentious bits of Christianity from print to be more inclusive. While this appears to have been done over a year ago, this is the first official communication I recall seeing on the subject. (more…)

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The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men. -Samuel Adams